Digitalisation brings diversified markets within reach: ICAB

Stakeholders of finance, accounting and ICT sectors at a webinar on Saturday said digitalisation has reshaped business culture and boosted economic sustainability in the country.

The transition has also enabled the businesses to reach diversified markets overseas fast, but the poor internet speed is a bar, observed the sector people.

They said Bangladesh lags behind many countries as providers and users of Information and Communication Technology services.

The stakeholders came up with the remarks at a webinar titled “Digitalisation: Country, Business and Global Perspective” organised by The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Bangladesh (ICAB).

Expatriates Welfare and Overseas Employment Secretary Ahmed Munirus Saleheen attended the webinar as the chief guest.

“The world is becoming data and technology-driven. Finance and accounting professionals have to find ways to capitalise the opportunities of digital innovations,” he said.

Referring to the expansion of the use of digital technologies in recent years, Munirus said: “Technology has transformed many aspects of our lives, paving the way for shopping online, streaming a film or engaging with friends and colleagues on social media platforms.”

People are getting the benefits of digital technology in communication during this pandemic to carry out emergency their tasks, added the secretary.

Presenting the keynote paper, Mohammad Tufael Chowdhury, Partner for PwC Strategy & Australia, said: “Reshaping our society with new technologies will enable the businesses to reach new markets and grow efficiently and faster.”

The digital economy has three layers— culture and digital skills, adoption and inclusion, and connectivity Infrastructure, he explained.

Delivering the welcome address, ICAB president Mahmudul Hasan Khusru said: “There are over 12 crore cellphone subscribers and 4.3 crore internet subscribers who are enjoying the benefits of digitalisation.”

Urging the government for more resource allocation in the ICT sector, Mahmudul said: “ICT sector needs more resource allocation to make the country run digitally. Digital transformation needs more necessary resources for further development.”

The programme was also participated by policy advisor of a2i Programme Anir Chowdhury, Chief Information and Operating Officer of AMTD Group in Singapore Osman Ershad Faiz, Founder & Chief Innovation Officer of Spider Digital Innovations Kazi Monirul Kabir and Founder of SBK Tech Ventures & SBK Foundation Bangladesh Sonia Bashir Kabir.

Akhtar Sohel Kasem, former president of ICAB and Senior Partner of A Qasem & Co Chartered Accountants, presided over the webinar.